Most cruisers — well, travelers in general, really — love their souvenirs. Who doesn’t want a reminder of the places they’ve visited, the memories they’ve made while sailing to far-flung destinations? When Gina Barrett (Cruise Critic member Cruisin Around from Pittsburgh) went on her first cruise on Celebrity Galaxy in 2004, she wasn’t interested in […]

You’ve probably got that skeptic in your life. You know, the guy who rolls his eyes when you mention your upcoming cruise vacation, or your pal who says she just “couldn’t imagine” spending all that time “trapped on a boat.” Mention that the cruise offers the opportunity to hang out with a legend of rock […]

Cruisers know that ship officers and crew enjoy a certain measure of celebrity status. Passengers might get a few pics taken with their smiling hosts, who daily receive thousands of warm greetings from their guests. It’s rare to see cruisers basking in such attention.

We’re onboard Celebrity Reflection for its two-night inaugural U.S. sailing out of Miami. For this trip, we have an AquaClass cabin, part of a special category of accommodations situated near the ship’s spa. If you’re sailing on Reflection — or any of its sister ships in the Solstice class — and you book an AquaClass […]

Running on a cruise ship is a bit of a mixed bag. Sure, you get the beauty of the sea, the fresh air hitting your face, the kind words from fellow passengers. You also get rocky treadmills, distraction from every corner as you try to weave your way around the ship’s designated jogging track (why […]

Perhaps a Royal Caribbean veteran has encouraged you to attend, vaguely describing it as a lot of fun. “Just go,” your smiling friend says, without providing details. “You won’t regret it.” Maybe you’re intrigued when you see it listed on the daily Cruise Compass, somewhere between “Art Auction” and “Karaoke.” “The Quest Adult Gameshow.” Or […]

CRUISEBOY305, a veteran of Royal Caribbean, loved the open spaces, outdoor areas and Champagne Bar on Jewel of the Seas during his recent cruise to Canada and New England. The weeklong itinerary roundtrip from Boston, with port stops in Halifax, St. John, Bar Harbor and Portland, was a first for this solo cruiser, who wrote, […]

When it comes to the list of what not to do on a cruise ship, you’ve got to think that stealing would be near the top. So why the heck are stories of onboard thievery so prevalent? We’re not talking the stray towel here or bathrobe there (and no, we’re not advocating lifting linens).